UPDATE: One league source, after my story published, told @TheSteinLine that the Celtics emerged from the weekend “with Via @TheSteinLine on X

What happened: A league source told The Stein Line that the Celtics emerged from the weekend with "a real shot" to win the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes on the strength of a Jaylen Brown-centric package. The same reporting indicates Milwaukee has weighed moving forward on a deal even without a third team facilitating the framework.

Why it matters: Building an offer around Brown signals Boston is willing to part with a championship cornerstone to reshape its core around Antetokounmpo. Removing the need for a third-team facilitator would streamline the path to a deal and put pressure on rival suitors to respond quickly.

What to watch: Watch for whether Milwaukee accepts a two-team structure or holds out for a facilitator before Tuesday night's NBA Draft, the next natural deadline that could force the field to move.

Sources